The Power of a Pumpkin - Recipe Ideas

Fun Pumpkin Recipes
Inspired by Tyler's Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Adding more fruits and veggies is one Quick Tip to accelerate the fat loss process. And it really is not that hard when the serving size is a mere 1/2 cup for most and when you have many festive, seasonal options from which to choose!

Tyler's pumpkin is the perfect example. After his trip to the pumpkin patch, he asked if you could eat a pumpkin.

So we sat down together and found a few nutritious and very delicious pumpkin recipes along with a few other cool facts.

Did you know - the pumpkin Tyler is holding is called a "sugar pumpkin". These are the ones used for cooking.

Pumpkins contain some of the best nutritional compounds ever. They are highly loaded with Fiber, Vitamin A and beta carotene (rich orange color). Pumpkins are also good sources of potassium, protein, and iron. Pumpkin seeds even contain a good amount of protein and iron. These compounds not only help prevent many illnesses and diseases but are also help to reduce the signs of Aging!

Yes, pumpkins are used for more than Pumkin Pie and Jack-o-lanterns. So take your kids to a pumpkin patch, pick a pumpkin and try out some of these tasty pumpkin recipe ideas.

Baked Pumpkin Slices
1. Pre-heat oven

2. Halve a sugar pumpkin then cut into slices as you would a melon
3. lightly dab slices with olive oil then place slices on a lightly greased (olive oil) baking sheet.

4. Sprinkle lightly with water and lightly sprinkle slices with cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and a pinch of ginger.
5. Bake for about 20 minutes, turn, add more sprinkled spices if you like, bake for another 20 minutes or so. Cool and Eat!

Autumn Smoothie

1/2 cup plain, vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

dash of ginger

1 frozen banana

Combine in a blender. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Apple, Pumpkin & Oatmeal

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1 1/2 cup oatmeal (cooked)

Dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and/or ginger

Mix spices, applesauce, pumpkin puree and oatmeal

Stir thoroughly and enjoy!

Pumpkin Oat Bars
These bars are a great treat or for a snack on the run!
1/2 Cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 Cup quick cooking oats
1 to 2 Tablespoons Ground Flax Seed
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 Cup canola oil
1/2 Cup Canned Pumpkin Puree
1 Small ripe banana, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 Cup chopped dried fruit (dates, figs, raisin, cherries, cranberries, or a mix of any of these)
1/4 Cup chopped walnuts

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Combine flour, oats, flax seed, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

In a separate bowl, combine oil, pumpkin, banana, and vanilla. Add flour mixture to oil mixture and blend. Stir in dried fruit and nuts. Spray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Spread batter into pan and bake at 300 degree for 20 minutes. Cool and cut into 16 bars.

Approximated nutrition information (per bar): 80 Calories, 1g Protein, 5g Fat, 0.5g Saturated fat, 0 mg Cholesterol, 8g Carbohydrate, 3g Fiber, 27 mg Sodium.

Pumpkin Side Dish

dice a sugar pumpkin

steam it

season with nutmeg (or additional fall spices)

Serve and enjoy!